Electric Light and Power

News about Electric Light and Power, including commentary and archival articles published in The New York Times.

Chronology of Coverage

Jul. 22, 2015

Pres Obama's $7 billion, five-year initiative called Power Africa has yet to deliver electricity to Africa; officials blame lack of infrastructure for slow start. MORE

Jun. 26, 2015

Armenian Prime Min Hovik Abrahamyan refuses to revoke electricity price increase despite thousands of protesters blocking main avenue in capital city Yerevan for four days. MORE

Jun. 11, 2015

Russian warships have made four intrusions in 2015 in area of Baltic Sea where cables connecting Lithuania to Sweden's electricity grid have been laid; Russia views attempts to reduce European dependence on Russian energy, particularly in former Soviet states, as threat to its regional power, particularly in light of standoff between West and Russia over its actions in Ukraine. MORE

May. 6, 2015

Palestinian Authority owes $430 million in electricity bills to Israel, and debt is at center of latest deterioration in relations with Israel; two sides cannot agree on how much energy is used, how bills should be calculated or how payments should be made. MORE

May. 5, 2015

Supreme Court will decide whether federal regulators will be permitted to let big electricity users like schools and shopping centers to cut consumption at peak times in exchange for price breaks; approach is known as 'demand response.' MORE

Apr. 30, 2015

New York City officials weigh City Council's bid to limit light usage in commercial buildings at night, shift that could affect some 40,000 structures and alter image of night skyline; proposal comes amid far-reaching push to reduce city's environmental footprint. MORE

Apr. 23, 2015

Utility companies across nation recognize potential of smart home technologies to not only curb energy use but also to cut peak power loads and reduce need for additional power plant construction; whether consumer motivation to buy energy-related smart home devices is environmental awareness, savings or a simple love of the latest gadget, sales are rising significantly and large corporations are looking to buy up-and-coming start-ups. MORE

Apr. 23, 2015

Researchers report that 85 percent of increase in domestic water consumption projected between 2005 and 2030 will come from power production, in particular cooling of power plants; as nation's population grows, and duration of regional droughts increases, experts warn that inextricable link between water and energy means paucity of either could set off economy-damaging shortages and cost increases for both. MORE

Mar. 20, 2015

Europe's energy companies, reliant on solar energy, have been preparing for upcoming total eclipse for months, running simulations and exploring backup plans, in case of power failures. MORE

Mar. 9, 2015

Editorial criticizes Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell for calling on nation's governors to undermine Pres Obama's push to regulate power plant emissions of carbon dioxide; argues that strategy is cynically political and deeply irresponsible, threatening to undo nation's credibility as a leader in the fight against climate change. MORE

Feb. 28, 2015

Israel Electric Corporation will return electric power to Palestinian areas of West Bank after receiving $75 million payment from Israeli government; money will be deducted from Palestinian tax revenues that are currently being withheld. MORE

Feb. 24, 2015

State-owned Israel Electric Corporation briefly reduces power to West Bank districts Nablus and Jenin in response to growing Palestinian debt, which is product of financial crisis caused by Israel's withholding of tax revenues after Palestinian Authority attempted to join International Criminal Court. MORE

Feb. 15, 2015

Washington State legislators will consider bills that will provide incentives for private utilities Puget Sound Energy, PacificCorp and Avista to divest themselves of electricity obtained from coal-fired plants; conservationists express concern that measures remove too much oversight over the utilities and would not ensure that coal is replaced by cleaner energy source. MORE

Feb. 1, 2015

Op-Ed article by author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie describes troubles she has at her home in Nigeria with electricity, which is common problem as government has failed to provide necessary infrastructure; expresses hope that upcoming elections will result in government that can provide for stable electrical grid and handle ongoing security concerns. MORE

Jan. 20, 2015

Science Q&A explains how ornamental water fountains worked before electricity. MORE

Dec. 26, 2014

Letter from former Sen Judd Gregg comments on Dec 14 article about rising prices at New England utility companies. MORE

Dec. 22, 2014

Plans for energy storage systems are gaining ground in California as a cost efficient substitute for upgrading power plants; Southern California Edison invited proposals that will use conventional batteries and huge ice packs for storage. MORE

Dec. 20, 2014

Environmental Protection Agency announces first federal guidelines for management and disposal of coal ash from power plants to protect water supply; some environmentalists say new regulations are too lax. MORE

Dec. 20, 2014

Op-Ed article by author Clark Strand says that despite technological advances that proliferated after the introduction of electric light, humans still need darkness to connect with each other, to sleep deeply and to dream. MORE

Dec. 14, 2014

Utility companies in New England, which already has highest electricity rates in 48 contiguous states, are raising prices and stunning customers with amount of increases; New England has no fossil fuels of its own and imports all gas, oil, and coal but increases seem unreasonable given that global oil prices have dropped to their lowest levels in years, and natural gas is cheap and plentiful. MORE

Dec. 6, 2014

Smart meters that talk directly to electricity providers have potential to usher in so-called dynamic pricing, which is intended to benefit electrical systems by reducing demands during peak hours; dynamic pricing is still many years away despite federal subsidies that have helped finance switch to so-called smart grid because most customers and public service commissions are simply not ready for the change. MORE

Nov. 28, 2014

Plans by New York State to add new power lines and towers in Hudson Valley to relieve congestion and costs during heat waves worry area residents over possibility of spoiled views and loss of property; seven counties and 25 town in the area would be affected by proposals from power companies. MORE

Nov. 27, 2014

Litigation brought by power companies is challenging lauded government program that rewards customers for unplugging at peak consumption hours; program has saved customers money and lowered overall costs, but has reduced revenue for producers; issue, which has gained the attention of lawmakers, makes collision likely between companies that meet higher demand in peak hours by creating more power, and those that find a way to reduce demand. MORE

Nov. 26, 2014

Supreme Court will hear arguments over limits set by Environmental Protection Agency on emissions of mercury and other toxic pollutants from coal-fired power plants. MORE

Nov. 24, 2014

Many residents of scenic Morro Bay, Calif, have been frustrated by presence of sixty-year-old Morro Bay Power Plant, but visibility of its 450-feet-high smokestacks was tolerated due to jobs and tax revenue it provided; closure of plant in February leaves community wondering what will become of structure, which has come to define coastline almost as much as towering cliffs for which region is named. MORE

Nov. 9, 2014

Op-Ed article by author Edward Hoagland describes living on a mountain without utilities for a third of every year, swinging back and forth to and from electrification; wonders whether humans lose an appreciation for nature by being dependent on electricity and electrical entertainments provided by the Internet. MORE

Oct. 8, 2014

Rules for integrating renewable energy into the power grid often add cost and reduce environmental effectiveness, producing strains in the electricity business. MORE

Sep. 4, 2014

The hiring of a chief restructuring officer was part of a deal reached last month between the electric authority and its creditors. MORE

Aug. 29, 2014

Pacific Gas and Electric Company reports Silicon Valley power substation near San Jose, Calif, that was attacked by a sniper in April 2013 is hit by thieves; unknown number of intruders cut through a fence and made off with power tools, a pipe bender and ground compactors; thieves did not appear to try to damage operating equipment. MORE

Aug. 15, 2014

Financial derivatives trading linked to congestion on New York State’s electric grid, market intended to protect power companies and ultimately benefit consumers, has made big profits for trading firms; across nation, investment funds and major banks are wagering billions of dollars on similar so-called congestion contracts, using computer algorithms and teams of PhDs as they chase profits in arcane area that rarely attracts attention. MORE

Jul. 22, 2014

Many scientists say capturing carbon that spews from power plants and locking it away permanently is necessary to stave off worst effects of climate change; contend that for now, world is too dependent on fossil fuels to do anything less; Obama administration expects coal will produce nearly third of nation's electricity in 2030, down from 40 percent today (Series: The Big Fix). MORE

Jul. 19, 2014

United Nations say number of Gazans displaced by war to official shelters more than has doubled in 24 hours since Israeli ground invasion, from 22,000 to 47,000; hardships facing civilians deepen as Israel cuts off electricity it supplies to Gaza Strip. MORE

Jul. 18, 2014

Minnesota has mandated sharp reductions in energy use in every new state-financed building for more than a decade, and in renovated buildings for more than five years; those mandates includes new stadium for Minnesota Vikings; state has also set deadlines for utilities to increase amount of electricity generated from renewable sources. MORE

Jul. 18, 2014

Op-Ed article by David J Hayes, former deputy secretary of Interior Dept, notes that many American communities using diesel generators for electricity and heat would greatly benefit from small-scale renewable energy sources; describes how modular wind and solar energy systems under development would result in economic and quality-of-life benefits to many small, isolated communities across nation. MORE

Jul. 18, 2014

Indian Prime Min Narendra Modi has pledged to tackle host of economic problems, improve infrastructure and improve electricity supply in long-troubled city of Varanasi; effort is seen as case study for Modi's ambition to make improvements in vast swaths of country that have lagged behind cities like Mumbai and Bangalore in development. MORE

Jul. 11, 2014

Residents of several towns across New England are banding together in opposition to a proposed natural gas pipeline that would slice through their communities; half of New England's electricity is now generated by burning natural gas, prompting officials to seek new ways to import fuel. MORE

Jun. 26, 2014

Pres Obama acknowledges that efforts to combat climate change, particularly regulations that would slash carbon pollution from cars and coal-fired power plants, could raise fuel and electricity prices. MORE

Jun. 24, 2014

Supreme Court largely upholds Environmental Protection Agency's ability to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from stationary sources like power plants, marking a big win for environmentalists; ruling comes even as court criticizes what it calls Obama administration's overreaching; combative tone of decision, along with court's rejection of one of EPA's rationales for regulations, suggests rocky road ahead for other initiatives to reduce carbon emissions. MORE

Jun. 24, 2014

Editorial praises Supreme Court for its affirmation of Environmental Protection Agency's power to regulate greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act; argues that case, brought by coalition of business interests and states, preserves government's ability to confront global warming while also demonstrating Congress's persistent failure to update the law to meet modern needs. MORE

Jun. 11, 2014

Chilean government commission rejects $8 billion proposal to dam Patagonian rivers to meet growing energy demands, handing a victory to environmentalists who praise the ruling. MORE

May. 27, 2014

Ethical Electric, start-up founded by former Washington political operative Tom Matzzie, allows customers to sign up for electricity from renewable green sources without physically changing anything in their businesses or homes; company, one of increasingly competitive group of such ventures, aims to capture slice of $140 billion in electricity sales. MORE

May. 15, 2014

Need to modernize New York State's energy grid is worrying some owners of historic homes and farms in Hudson Valley, who say changes will devalue region and cause possible health concerns. MORE

May. 13, 2014

Editorial welcomes proposal that would increasingly decentralize New York State's power grid, giving rise to smaller stations, many of which would use solar or wind power; says while change will be difficult, it could lead a national revolution in energy efficiency as concerns mount about pollution and global warming. MORE

May. 9, 2014

Pres Obama will announce handful of executive actions and private and nonprofit groups' investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy; initiatives will not amount to much in terms of energy policy or their impact on global warming, but are part of broader campaign to build public support for Environmental Protection Agency rule limiting carbon pollution from coal-fired power plants; rule is expected to create new market for zero-carbon energy from sources like wind and solar. MORE

May. 5, 2014

New York State is proposing to turn its electric utilities into new kind of entity that would buy electricity from hundreds of thousands of small generators; state would set prices for that electricity and for the costs of running the power grid; proposal anticipates radially different electric system, dominated by decentralized production, much of if of renewable, intermittent energy sources. MORE

Apr. 22, 2014

Towering 70-foot-high wooden utility poles are being installed by PSEG Long Island along a five-mile project route from Port Washington to Great Neck; company maintains new poles are stronger and more resilient in storms than older poles and will increase power transmission; some area residents, angry at not being informed about new poles before they were installed, call them eyesores. MORE